State of the city address starts busy night for Norwich council

NORWICH — Newly installed Mayor Deb Hinchey on Monday will give her first state of the city address — a forum that has, in the past, served as an outline of goals for Norwich’s chief elected official.

During her inauguration in December, Hinchey alluded to initiatives she’d like to see under her watch, including establishing a visitors center and naming a committee to examine ways the city can be more accessible to people with disabilities.

Her speech kicks off what will be a busy evening for the City Council. A public hearing is scheduled regarding a planned $500,000 demolition bond to clean up old buildings at Chestnut and Shipping streets. On Monday afternoon, the Commission on the City Plan will review the proposal and offer its recommendation.

After the council’s hearing, aldermen are set to vote on the matter.

With the U.S. Postal Service’s ongoing efforts to close its Main Street facility, the council is expected to appeal the decision formally — a resolution sponsored by Hinchey.

Also Monday, Norwich Community Development Corporation will be charged with creating a development plan for 154 Salem Turnpike, where a North Carolina-based company is trying to build a 113-room Hampton Inn.

The project can only happen, developers say, if the city agrees to a tax abatement plan that would close a funding gap by allowing $2.94 million, which otherwise would have been paid to the city in taxes, to be used for construction.

Aldermen must approve NCDC’s development plan before work can begin on the project.

Finally, the council will be briefed on Connecticut’s new medical marijuana law, and what impact it could have on the city’s economy. David Kimmel, of Montebello, N.Y., owner of Ledyard-based Vintage Foods Company LLC, is one of two people hoping to open a marijuana production plant in the former Decorative Screen Printers building at 9 Wisconsin Ave., in Norwich’s industrial park. The other is Bloomfield-based Nascent Sciences.

A measure signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in the summer of 2012 enables the drug to be used for a much wider set of ailments. It also cleared the way for between three and 10 licenses to be issued for in-state production of medical marijuana.